Electric flatiron



WIV A. MURGAN. `ELECTRIC FLATIRON.

APPLICATION FILED AUG13I, 1921.

Patented Y Oct. 3, 1922.,

INVENToR.

. WMM WM ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC FLATIRON.

Application led August 31, 1921. Serial No. 497,089.

To all whom t may concern;

Be it known that I, VVLLIAM AUNDRAE MORGAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in VElectric Flatirons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electrical heat- `ing appliance, and pertains especially to electric atirons and like appliances, heating of which to the maximum temperature is only desirable while the appliance is being manipulated.

In the case of electric flatirons, it is desirable that the heat generated be at its maximum only while the iron is being manipulated. To this end, flatirons have been constructed with make and break elements so operated that the electric current flows through the heating element only while the operator maintains the make and break element closed by his grasp on the handle, the make and break mechanism automatically open'ng the circuit, upon release of the handle by the operator.

As it is necessary to warm up the iron before using it, and as this requires an interval of time, it is necessary to hold the make and break closed or to devise some instrumentality to hold the same closed for a limited time. One of the primary objects of causing the circuit to be opened automatically upon release of the handle of the iron is to prevent the iron being left in heated condition upon textiles which may thereby become burnt. If the circuit is fully open, the iron becomes cold and before further use must be again warmed by maintaining the circuit closed.

The principal object ofthis invention is to provide an electrical appliance having heating means operating under partial load at all times during which the appliance is connected to the electrical circuit, and under full load when the appliance is being manipulated. Thus, the iron will be warmed when not in use, and heated to its operating temperature when manipulated. In addition to the broader objects of this invention there are certain details of structure whereby the principal object is accomplished.

I accomplish the above mentioned objects and intermediate these blades is by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete Hatiron with a portion of the handle shown in section; and Fig. 2 is a perspective View on an enlarged scale partly in section showing the details of the make and break and a Wiring diagram of the resistance and heating element.

The body 3 of the flatiron is provided with a heating element of any desired construction, this element being indicated by 4, see Fig. 2. In series with the heating element is a resistance element 5 for cutting down the current flowing through the heating element. A plug socket 5 extends upwardly from the top of the rear end-ot` the body. and the conductors of a cord indicated by 6 and 7 are connected to the plug. Secured to the top of the iron is a bracket 8. between the arms of which is mounted the main handle 9. On the rear arm of the bracket are ears 10, between which is pivotally mounted the supplemental handle 11 corresponding in shape to the main handle. The ysupplementary handle extends through a slot 12 in the rear arm of the bracket 8. Formed in the lower side of the main handle is a recess 13, in which is mounted a spring 14 tending to press the supplementary handle away from the main handle into the position shown inl dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the plug socket 5 has a lining 15 terial. At the bottom of the socket are terminals 16, 17, and 18. Terminal 16 is connected to one end of the regulating resistance 5, and terminal 18 is connected to oneend of the heating element 4. The middle terminal 17 is connected to the juncture of regulating resistance 5 and `heating element 4. Connected to terminal 16 is a blade 19 upstanding from the bottom of the socket. A similar blade 20. is connected to terminal 18. Blades 19 and 20 are of the same length, a short blade 21 connected to terminal 17. A plu 22 of insulating material is slidably mounted in the socket 5 and has three bifurcated blades 23, 24, and 25 cooperating with blades 19, 21, and 2O respectively. Blades 23 and 24 are connected to a common terminal 26,

of insulating mato which the conductor 7 is connected. Blade 25 is connected to a terminal 27 to which conductor 6 is connected. Mounted upon the top of plug 22 is a post 28 to which is pivotally connected the supplemental handle 1l. v

Assume that the conductors 6 and 7 have been connected to the house circuit and that the iron is not being manipulated. Supplemental handle 11 is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this position, plug 22 is raised in' the socket and contact between blades 21 and 24 is broken, this position being shown in Fig. 2. However, blades 19 and 23 are in contact and blades 20 and 25 are in contact. There is a complete circuit through resistance element 5 and heating element 4. The current volume is dependent upon these twio resistances. There is not suilicient current to raise the heating element to a -temperature suicient for ironing. However, the heatin element warms the iron. After the body o the iron has been warmed and it is desired to iron, the handles 9 and 11 are grasped and handle 1l pressed against handle 9, thereby rocking the supplemental handle .and pushing the plug 22 downwardly in the socket. Contact 1s then made between blades 21 and 24,. thereby shunting the resistance 5 and in creasing the magnitude of the current flowing through the heating element. This causes the iron to be raised to a tem erature suflicient for ironing purposes. hen the supplemental handle 11 is released, the plug 22 is raised by reason of the handle being moved downwardly through the action of spring 14. The resistance v5 is again placed in circuit, cutting down the current but causing the iron to be maintained warm by reason of the current flowing through the heating element. become cold.

What I claim is: 1. In an electrical heating appliance having a handle for manipulation of the same, the combination of a heating element, regulating-means in circuit with said element to regulate the wattage in said heating element, operating means to operate said regulating means, said operating means being Thus, the iron will not handle.

2. In an electrical heating appliance having a main handle for manipulation of the same, the combination of a heating element, regulating means in circuit with said element to regulate the wattage in said heating element, a. lsupplementary handle secured to saidvmain handle' and connected to said regulating means whereby upon moving the said supplementary handle toward the main handle by grasping the same, said regulating means will be operated to increase the wattage in said heating element.

l3. In an electric heating appliance having a handle for manipulation of the same, the combination of a heating element, a regulating resistance element in series with said heating element, a conductor connected to the juncture of said regulating element and said heating element and to a contact, a cooperating contact connected to the terminal to which said regulating resistance is connected, mechanical means mounted on said handle and connected to one of said `contacts normally maintaining the contacts 'out of engagement and arranged to place said contacts in engagement upon grasping the handle, whereby the regulating element may be shunted.

4. In an electric heating appliance having a main handle for manipulation of the same, the combination of a heating element, a 112gulating resistance element in series with said heating element, a conductor connected to the ljuncture of said regulating element and said heating element and to a contact, a cooperating contact connected to the terminal to which said regulating resistance may be connected, a supplementary handle secured to said main handle and connected to one of Said contacts to move the latter into and out of engagement with the other of said contacts, said supplementary handle being mounted upon said main handle whereby upon grasping the handles said contacts are disengaged.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name thls 23rd day of August, 1921. 

